For a full list of Ron's Coins, linked to a Chronological Index, go to the FEBRUARY ARCHIVES and scroll down to "Ron Goldstein's Chronological Index"

Friday, February 17, 2006

My Top 20: Coin No.12: Gaius (Caligula) AD 37-41

Adopted heir of TiberiusSuetonius tells us that because Caligula was self conscious about being bald and hairy he announced that it was a capital offence for anyone to either look down on him as he passed or to mention goats in any context.Amongst the many horror stories told about him (by Suetonius) is that he made parents attend their son’s executions and when one father excused himself on the grounds of ill-health he provided a litter for him.

This was the first coin in my collection and was authenticated by the British Museum